Is asbestos hazardous to your health?
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the EPA have determined that asbestos is in fact a human carcinogen, and that breathing high levels of asbestos can increase the risk of lung membrane cancer (mesothelioma), scar tissue in the lungs (asbestosis), and cancers of the stomach, pancreas, and kidneys.
Asbestos fibers break easily into a dust that can float in the air, stick to clothes, and be inhaled or swallowed. These ingested fibers can then become trapped in airways and lung tissue, resulting in lung infections, shortness of breath, coughing of blood, pain in the chest or abdomen, and significant weight loss. Cancers from asbestos typically do not develop immediately but show up after a significant amount of time; the latency period for mesothelioma is often 15 to 30 years.
Research has not determined a safe level of exposure, but it is known that the greater and longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestosrelated disease. However, asbestos is not always an immediate hazard. In fact, if asbestos can be maintained in good condition, it is recommended that it be left alone and periodic surveillance be performed to monitor its condition. It is only when asbestos containing materials are disturbed or damaged that it becomes hazardous.
Other Asbestos Exposure FAQs
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Q:
Has the federal government established laws or regulations to decrease asbestos exposure?
A: Yes. In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; however, uses established prior to 1989 are still permitted. … More -
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Who can file an asbestos-related lawsuit?
A: Although the EPA has made regulations to promote protection from asbestos, and organizations such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) … More -
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What is mesothelioma and how do you get it?
A: The National Cancer Institute states that: "Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac … More -
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How much exposure does it take to get the disease?
A: An exposure of as little as one or two months can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. More -
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How long does it take after exposure for the disease to show up?
A: People exposed in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma because of the long latency period of asbestos disease. More -
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Who is at risk for mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases?
A: Most people with malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos. Others have been exposed to asbestos in a … More -
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Are products continaing asbestos illegal?
A: Many , but not all, asbestos products have been banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission, including: … More -
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What should I do if I've been exposed to asbestos? What if I don't feel sick?
A: If you've been exposed to asbestos it is important to tell your doctor ! Even if you don’t feel sick, the fact is that people usually don’t show … More
